The Pandora's Box has been opened ....

I am sure by now you have all read on the net that the North Queensland Cowboys have been cleared of any wrong doings with the salary cap.

While I am not going to comment or debate or even speculate as to any similarities or differences with the dealings that former CEO Spagnolo has been linked to what I will say is this,

Allowing North Queensland to get off from any sort of disciplinary action has well and truly opened the "pandora's Box" with regards to Third Party Agreements and exactly how to skirt around it and get away with "questionable" dealings.

Here's a link to the story via the news.com.au website -

http://www.news.com.au/sport/nrl/cowboys-face-questions-following-revelations-of-property-deals-involving-players-and-club-chairman-laurence-lancini/story-fndv343h-1227460266550

Here's the main point of the story -

Laurence Lancini, , North Queensland Cowboys chairman organised, built and sold properties, apartments, blocks of land, to North Queesnland players (current and past players) via his company.

It has been alleged in previous stories from this that substantial discounts were given to players (one such report was that one player bought a property for $200k when it was worth over $400k).

The NRL and it's integrity unit have ruled that they have NOT breached any rules.

The former CEO of the Cowboys was quoted as saying - “I really don’t see the problem with buying property from a property developer,”

How is this any different from people like Spagnolo and co helping out Lussick with a home unit, or when he used to give financial advise to past players such as Luke Burt and Fui Fui (both of whom have been on record as saying they received financial advice from Spagnolo)??

This clearing of the North Queensland Cowboys will open a real "Pandora's Box" with not only all levels of grey with regards to what can and can't be done regarding third party dealings, but it now sets a dangerous legal prescient in how other clubs can skirt around and get away with their own Third Party Agreements with NRL players.

Your Thoughts ???

"I agree. That's his role on the show - to be the contrarian!But I felt his performance last night had a bit more personal stuff going on. He got a bit agitated and so did Braith. I reckon something was said at the pre show rehersal. "

"Chiefy, the tricky part here is that media speculation that Matterson was one of the cards on the table is not the same as Matterson formally being a card on the table. Hence the other way to interpret the post is that Matterson has went on record…"

"Thx for posting Matto's post, Eli. That post says it all. Matto was not involved until given a fait accompli, but of course Storm-friendly media need to paint his as "stubborn". This is called "cooling out the mark", which is where the loser (Storm)…"

Replies

Rabz S July 29, 2015 at 1:03pm

If this is the case, then the NRL have no right to act upon the TPA issues going on at Parra.

If they do act and punish Parra, then they are nothing short of hypocrites with their heads in their @$$
- DK Eel > Rabz S July 29, 2015 at 1:06pm
  
  they have cleared North Queensland, that's true.
  
  as I said, this is going to cause a MASSIVE storm in the NRL with regards to TPA's and the way in which other clubs will deal with their own as well as deal with the NRL.
Bert de Naturál✌️™ July 29, 2015 at 1:05pm

A cover up by the NRL.

They are not in the business of showing how incompetent they are and making fools of themselves... yet AGAIN.

Better to have all the focus on Parramatta's salary cap problems so it appears like it is an isolated incident, rather than a rampant one involving all clubs.

That's Berts conspiracy theory anyway.
the daniel July 29, 2015 at 1:06pm

Well there is a clear difference. When spagnolo was at his peak with providing financial advice to our players, he was only affiliated with the club in a sponsor capacity, and he wore the losses from said advice.

The Cowboys have allegedly done the same thing, except not only was it the company of their ceo, but rumors are the club paid the difference.

It is a hard thing to prove. The nrl probably don't want to get into it because I am 100% sure all clubs partake in that activity. It's fair play in my opinion.
- DK Eel > the daniel July 29, 2015 at 1:11pm
  
  yup.
  
  I'm not an apologist for Roy, especially if his dealings prove to be something that brings the club into disrepute .... BUT, yes, at his peak he was not the club CEO as Lancini is.
  
  They have got away with it and it will prove interesting if other clubs begin to adopt the same methodology as North Queensland ..... or if clubs use the North Queensland case as a way of clearing themselves from their on salary cap issues
  
  Time will tell
Muttman July 29, 2015 at 1:12pm

I went to school with a girl called Pandora......just sayin.
- Nutcracker > Muttman July 29, 2015 at 1:38pm
  
  Lol
Phil Mann July 29, 2015 at 1:12pm

The NRL in their visit to Townsville yesterday were not able to uncover any shonky dealings and therefore the matter ought be closed.

Each of them however came away with a couple of terrific waterside properties at very good prices.
sixtiesboy July 29, 2015 at 1:19pm

I think that the door has been opened for legal challenges by any club now penalised.
- DK Eel > sixtiesboy July 29, 2015 at 1:25pm
  
  this is what I am afraid of, from a point of view of being a FAN on Rugby League.
  
  The ruling has set a highly dangerous prescient , one in which, even someone without any real legal training (and by that I mean, I'm not a trained lawyer, but I had to study aspects of the law when I did my diploma in Public Relations all those years ago!!) can see.
  
  The NRL and it's integrity unit has either shot itself in the foot or the Cowboys have found the golden loophole and by their actions have shown every CEO in the land the way in which it can be exploited